Sapporo Snow Festival
Ice, Lights & Champagne Nights
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the winter festivities. Every February, Sapporo is transformed into a freezing fashion runway with sparkling ice and tall snow sculptures, and workplace suits are swapped out for snow boots for a week. The city transforms into a living postcard from February 4–11, 2025, with sparkling streets, steaming mugs of hot cocoa (or sake), and whispers of "Darling, take a photo of me" coming from every corner.
This is the Japanese winter wonderland you've been waiting for, whether you call it the snow festival, the ice festival Sapporo Japan, or simply your excuse to dress in fake fur in below-freezing temperatures.
Dates |
February 4–11, 2026 (8 frosty, fabulous days) |
Opening Hours |
Morning to night at Odori & Susukino; daytime fun at Tsudome; evenings glow with illuminations. |
Location |
Odori Park – the crown jewel, lined with giant snow sculptures (pictured above at night). Susukino – smaller but sassier ice sculptures lit up like cocktails at midnight. Tsudome – family playground with snow slides and kid-friendly fun. |
Admission |
Free (yes, luxury that doesn’t break your budget). |
Official Website |
|
Nearest Station |
Sapporo Station |
Organizer |
The Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee |
Think Broadway, but make it snow.
Massive sculptures: Castles, anime heroes, and monuments made of snow and ice. Yes, they’re Insta-worthy and no filter required.
Evening magic: At night, sculptures light up in soft blues and purples, the kind of glow that makes you believe in fairytales again.
Snow play: Tsudome offers slides, tubing, snowball fights, and food stalls to warm up in between. (Soup curry, hot sake, and ramen so good you’ll forget you can’t feel your toes.)
Families: Kids go wild at Tsudome; parents warm up indoors.
Couples: Romantic strolls under lit-up ice arches.
Photographers: Every angle is editorial.
Adventurers: Perfect excuse to combine skiing, onsen, and a little snow-sculpture magic.
Tourist-friendly? Absolutely. English signs, smooth subway lines, and plenty of locals happy to point you toward the next glowing dragon made of snow.
Book early: Hotels in Sapporo sell out faster than a movie premiere.
Timing matters: Early mornings for crisp shots, evenings for the light shows.
Stay warm: Layers, boots with grip, gloves. Frozen chic is only cute in photos.
Cash & IC cards: Food stalls love quick cash or prepaid transport cards.
Plan ahead: Crowds are real. Weekdays are calmer than weekends.
Think après-ski glamour meets Arctic practicality.
Thermal base, sweater, and waterproof coat.
Boots that can handle ice without breaking your ankles.
A chic beanie, scarf, and gloves, because nothing says romance like warm fingers in sub-zero weather.
Fly into New Chitose Airport, then hop on the JR Rapid Airport Line to Sapporo Station (~40 min).
Subways & local lines:
Odori Park → Odori Station (Namboku Line).
Susukino → Susukino Station (just one stop south of Odori).
Tsudome → Toho Line to Sakaemachi Station + shuttle bus.
Insider note: Japanese trains are punctual even in snow. But stilettos on ice? Not advised.
For multi-city travelers, the JR Pass makes the journey seamless. Stay connected with Pocket Wi-Fi for maps and selfies, and smooth your landing with an Airport Meet & Greet, because arriving in style should be universal.
Food: Sapporo ramen, grilled Hokkaido seafood, Japanese Oden (pictured above) and soup curry. (Apparently, calories don’t count in winter!)
Attractions: Sapporo TV Tower at Odori, beer tastings at Sapporo Beer Museum, or nearby hot springs to defrost.
Hotels: Want to roll out of bed and into the snow? Stay near Odori Park. Prefer quiet glamour? Look near Sapporo Station. Explore JapanDen’s hotels near Sapporo for both.
History: Started in 1950 with six student-made snow statues. Now? Millions of visitors and hundreds of jaw-dropping sculptures.
Attendance: Roughly 2 million people flock here every year, proof that snow is the new black.
Fun facts: 2026 marks the 76th anniversary
Cultural meaning: In Hokkaido, winter is long and cold. The festival is proof that when life gives you snow… you build a palace out of it.
Or as we would say: “If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Sapporo in February is the city that never melts.”
Hotels: Book early, Sapporo is packed during the festival. Browse JapanDen’s hotel picks to lock in your stay.
Transport: Use the JR Pass for cross-country rail travel.
Connectivity: Grab Pocket Wi-Fi so your selfies upload even in the snow.
Arrivals: Cut the stress with an Airport Meet & Greet.
Q. Do I need a ticket?
A. No, the main sites are free, a luxury even Samantha would approve of.
Q. Is it kid-friendly?
A. Yes. Tsudome is basically Disneyland in snow.
Q. Where is it held?
A. Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Q. What are the 2026 dates?
A. February 4–11, 2026.
Q. Why is the Sapporo Snow Festival so famous?
A. Since it turns Sapporo into a winter paradise with enormous snow and ice sculptures, eye-catching light displays, and bustling food vendors, it attracts millions of tourists annually and highlights Hokkaido's distinctive winter culture.
Q. How many days do you need for Sapporo Snow Festival?
A. Most visitors spend 2 to 3 days at the Sapporo Snow Festival, enough time to enjoy all three sites (Odori, Susukino, Tsudome) and see the sculptures both by day and beautifully lit at night.
Q. Can you touch the ice sculptures?
A. No, the ice and snow sculptures are for viewing only. Touching them can damage the delicate details (and freeze your fingers!). But some areas like Tsudome offer interactive snow activities where touching, sliding, and playing are encouraged.
Why should I book with JapanDen?
How do I book a hotel or ryokan through JapanDen?
What types of accommodations do you offer in Japan?
How can JapanDen help with planning my trip?
As well as booking accommodation, JapanDen is a place to learn more about Japan and how you can make the most of your time in this special country. From in-depth region guides to stories from Japan, we’ll be regularly publishing carefully curated insights from Japanese culture, with recommendations for the best activities and attractions and the latest news. Looking forward, we’ll also be adding special community features so you can share ideas and inspiration with like-minded people. Please come back and visit us regularly as we continue to add new content. We want JapanDen to be your home away from home too.
Do you offer guided tours in Japan, and how can I book one?
As part of the JRPass.com group, we offer a dedicated Meet and Greet service with expert personal assistance on your arrival in Japan booked via JRPass.com, alongside nationwide and regional rail passes for travel. As JapanDen grows, we will be offering more services and activities to provide a complete Japan travel experience.
Can I purchase Japan Rail Passes through your website?
JapanDen is part of the JRPass.com group, book your passes and tickets directly on JRPass.com
